By Amber Morrison | Development Associate
The western pond turtle, once common from Baja California to the Puget Sound, is listed as an endangered species in Washington and a sensitive species in Oregon. Two decades ago, western pond turtles were on the verge of completely dying out in Washington, with fewer than 100 turtles left in the state. Since then, more than 1,500 zoo-head-started turtles have been released.
Fifteen new hatchlings arrived to the Oregon Zoo on September 24, 2018 to be raised in a safe environment until they are large enough to survive on their own in the wild. To date, the Oregon Zoo has released over 765 western pond turtles in the wild. Biologists estimate that 95% of the turtles released have survived to repopulate.
The Western Pond Turtle Recovery Project is a collaborative effort by the Oregon Zoo, Woodland Park Zoo, Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Bonneville Power Administration, USDA Forest Service and other partners. We are working to recover this species so they can be enjoyed by present and future generations.
Thank you to our Global Giving donors in ensuring the success of this recovery effort! For more information click the link below.
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